Owners of iJet Charters and Wildcat Touring announced the launch of scheduled charter flights from Fort Lauderdale to three Bahamas destinations, Key West and a flight from New York to Marsh Harbour in Great Abaco.

New Flights Receive DOT Approval

Owners of iJet Charters and Wildcat Touring announced the launch of scheduled charter flights from Fort Lauderdale to three Bahamas destinations, Key West and a flight from New York to Marsh Harbour in Great Abaco.

“With the approval of the Department of Transportation (DOT) today we will begin bookings for the start of scheduled service on April 2,” said Jim Swieter, founder of iJet Charters in Fort Lauderdale, which is providing marketing and reservations for Director of Carrier Meregrass, Inc., DBA Wildcat Touring.

Swieter said flights aboard Meregrass, Inc’s new Saab 2000 aircraft, which features all premium class seating and high-speed travel, are now booking for roundtrip travel from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International’s (FLL) Sheltair terminal to Marsh Harbour, North Eleuthera, Freeport and Key West.

A scheduled charter flight from New York to Marsh Harbour is also available. Scheduled charter flights from Fort Lauderdale and Miami to Nassau are also anticipated in the future.

In December, Bahamas Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe predicted a full recovery for Bahamas’ tourism sector thanks to hotel room growth and a series of airlift initiatives, which include scheduled charter flights added through Wildcat Touring.

“This will be a top-of-service operation,” said Swieter, an air travel industry veteran. “We are talking about faster flying times, quality of service, first class seating, departure from our own private terminal and valet parking—and we are also offering complimentary beverages.”

Swieter said the scheduled charters will fly out of Sheltair at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL), which will streamline the check-in process. Some return flights will arrive at FLL Terminal 4.

Crewed by three, the Saab 2000 is a twin-engine high-speed aircraft with an average cruising speed of 425 mph with a maximum certified ceiling of 31,000 ft and a non-stop range of 1,300 statute miles. Equipped with an “all glass” flight deck (Collins Pro-Line IV), Meregrass’ Saab 2000 is the first and only aircraft of its type to operate on a 135-charter certificate. It seats 30 passengers in a cabin designed to accommodate 50. Consequently the seat pitch provides ample legroom.